PRESS RELEASE Redeveloped Englewood School Site – 30 New Homes Boost Workforce Housing Historic School Site Offers Vibrant New Neighborhood, Homeownership Opportunities Coos Bay, OR — Coos County, the City of Coos Bay, and Oregon developer Compass Communities Englewood LLC have announced a new residential infill development on the former Englewood School site. The project will deliver 30 new homes designed to provide homeownership opportunities for individuals and families in the Coos Bay area. The Coos Bay planning commission reviewed initial plans at its December 9 meeting; the planning commission now sends its recommendations to the City Council for a final decision in January. The newly planned neighborhood will feature a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes. All homes will be built on-site and are intended to be occupied by homeowners. The homes will range from approximately 1000 SF (2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths) to 1400 SF (three bedrooms, two baths), market-priced between $225,000 and $325,000. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the first homes available by next summer. Preferences for the new homes will be given to local workers and employers at prices that are attainable to local workers, seniors, veterans, and their families. This redevelopment will revitalize a historic site that has been empty since the Englewood School was destroyed by fire in 2014. After the fire, Coos County and the City of Coos Bay cleaned the demolished site with support from the State of Oregon. "This project represents an investment in our community’s future, provides quality housing options for the local workforce, and transforms a long-vacant property into a vibrant neighborhood," said John Sweet, Coos County Commissioner. Coos Bay Mayor Joe Benetti said the city is seeking to stimulate investment in the community while providing needed housing, "We’re proud to partner with Coos County and Compass Communities Englewood to bring this vision to life. Housing is essential for our local economy, and this development will help meet that need." A spokesperson for Compass Communities Englewood LLC – an Oregon-based privately-funded community development firm – responded, saying, "Our goal is to create neighborhoods where people who work here can afford to live here. Coos Bay and Coos County have been excellent partners on the Englewood project. The Englewood School is a model for how the public and private sectors can work together to solve housing challenges."